--- title: "Top 5 coffee shops in Vancouver, chosen from local press | voche.me" canonical_url: "https://voche.me/guides/top-coffee-shops-vancouver" last_updated: 2026-11-06 meta: description: "Five Vancouver coffee shops named by the Georgia Straight, Vancouver Magazine and Daily Hive in 2024, 2025 and 2026." "og:description": "Five Vancouver coffee shops named by the Georgia Straight, Vancouver Magazine and Daily Hive in 2024, 2025 and 2026." "og:title": "Top 5 coffee shops in Vancouver, chosen from local press" "twitter:description": "Five Vancouver coffee shops named by the Georgia Straight, Vancouver Magazine and Daily Hive in 2024, 2025 and 2026." "twitter:title": "Top 5 coffee shops in Vancouver, chosen from local press" --- VANCOUVER · COFFEE # Top 5 coffee shops in Vancouver, chosen from local press These five places were chosen from lists and reviews in the Georgia Straight, Vancouver Magazine and Daily Hive. A place appears here only when a named outlet wrote about it in 2024 or later. The guide was checked on November 6, 2026. See the 5 places 1. ![Nemesis, from its own website](https://www.nemesis.coffee/cdn/shop/files/Nemesis_Logo_TRANSPARENT_1200x628_c494b89a-2582-40be-8221-a51ea53fcd97.png?v=1650484453)Number 1 ### Nemesis Coffee shop and cafe 302 W Hastings Street, Gastown, Vancouver Vancouver Magazine named Nemesis the 2025 Readers' Choice Best Coffee Shop, writing that 'The coffee (from direct-trade sources) is strong, but the menu packs just as much of a punch.' Daily Hive reported in April 2026 that it ranked fourth among all coffee shops in North and Central America on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list. The Georgia Straight called it the home of the original 'dope brunch', with 'killer espresso, global teas, and imaginative pastries.' - > “The coffee (from direct-trade sources) is strong, but the menu packs just as much of a punch.” [Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Magazine](https://vanmag.com/restaurant-awards/2025/restaurant-awards-2025-readers-choice-winners/) · reader award · May 2025 (opens in a new tab) - > “Though Nemesis also has a location in Gastown (and others in North Van and Surrey), you can't miss this cafe's architecturally stunning GNW location beside Emily Carr University of Art and Design: it looks like a huge, red-tiled flower and is even more striking once you step inside.” [Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton](https://vanmag.com/drink/general/best-coffee-shops-vancouver/) · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - > “this spot serves up killer espresso, global teas, and imaginative pastries.” [Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra](https://www.straight.com/food/vancouvers-best-cafes-and-coffee-shops-gastownrailtown) · best-of list · January 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab) - > “Nemesis is a hospitality-driven, specialty coffee company composed of highly dedicated baristas, chefs, and creatives.” [Daily Hive, Marco Ovies](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/nemesis-best-coffee-shop-2026) · best-of list · April 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit nemesis.coffee (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nemesis.coffee/) Photo: Nemesis's website 2. Number 2 ### cowdog Coffee and matcha bar 1927 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano, Vancouver Vancouver Magazine's September 2026 list recommended cowdog for 'a strawberry matcha, cardamom bun or seasonal delight like the matcha-hojicha affogato.' The Georgia Straight covered the Kitsilano opening in April 2025, noting 'quality drinks, thoughtfully developed food items, and a welcoming team.' Daily Hive reported in April 2026 that the Kits location appeared on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list. - > “Go for a strawberry matcha, cardamom bun or seasonal delight like the matcha-hojicha affogato with locally made Rain or Shine roasted strawberry ice cream.” [Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton](https://vanmag.com/drink/general/best-coffee-shops-vancouver/) · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - > “quality drinks, thoughtfully developed food items, and a welcoming team that customers say makes the space feel refreshingly inclusive” [Georgia Straight, Vicki Duong](https://www.straight.com/food/cowdog-doubles-down-with-a-new-kits-location) · feature · April 15, 2025 (opens in a new tab) - > “Cowdog (Kits) is a minimalist specialty coffee destination located in the heart of the Kitsilano neighbourhood.” [Daily Hive, Marco Ovies](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/nemesis-best-coffee-shop-2026) · best-of list · April 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) [Visit cowdog.coffee (opens in a new tab)](https://cowdog.coffee/) 3. ![Mishmish, from its own website](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6160a8b785114a10ef762b13/t/67d3b1ec241ce5043416236f/1741926904593/IMG_1887.jpg?format=1500w)Number 3 ### Mishmish Middle Eastern bakery and cafe 3485 Fraser Street, Fraserhood, Vancouver Vancouver Magazine named Mishmish its 2026 Editors' Choice Best Bakery, and the September 2026 list described 'a nutty, foamy sesame-vanilla halva latte crafted with beans from local micro-roaster Modus.' The Georgia Straight covered it in June 2024 as a new Lebanese bakery and cafe serving 'Middle Eastern classics such as labneh, concha, and Jerusalem bagels.' - > “a sesame ka'ak bagel and a halva cornflake cookie” [Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Magazine](https://vanmag.com/restaurant-awards/2026/restaurant-awards-2026-editors-choice-best-bakeries/) · reader award · May 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - > “Take a seat in Mishmish's light, airy Fraserhood space with hanging greenery overhead to sip a nutty, foamy sesame-vanilla halva latte crafted with beans from local micro-roaster Modus.” [Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton](https://vanmag.com/drink/general/best-coffee-shops-vancouver/) · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - > “Fraser Street's Mishmish is a Lebanese bakery and cafe” [Georgia Straight, Vicki Duong](https://www.straight.com/food/new-coffee-shops-to-try-in-vancouver-right-now) · news · June 17, 2024 (opens in a new tab) [Visit mishmish.ca (opens in a new tab)](https://www.mishmish.ca/) Photo: Mishmish's website 4. ![Revolver, from its own website](https://revolvercoffee.ca/cdn/shop/files/Screen_Shot_2022-02-03_at_9.49.35_AM_1200x1200.png?v=1673975665)Number 4 ### Revolver Specialty coffee bar 325 Cambie Street, Gastown, Vancouver Vancouver Magazine's September 2026 list described Revolver as a shoebox-sized café that serves both traditional and experimental coffee, including an espresso tonic, from roasters across North America, Europe and Japan. The Georgia Straight listed it in January 2024 as one of Gastown's best, noting 'the main attraction in this brick-lined cafe is the coffee.' - > “This shoebox-sized café serves up both traditional and ultra-experimental coffee (espresso tonic, anyone?) from world-class roasters near and far, across North America, Europe and Japan” [Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton](https://vanmag.com/drink/general/best-coffee-shops-vancouver/) · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - > “the main attraction in this brick-lined cafe is the coffee.” [Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra](https://www.straight.com/food/vancouvers-best-cafes-and-coffee-shops-gastownrailtown) · best-of list · January 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab) [Visit revolvercoffee.ca (opens in a new tab)](https://revolvercoffee.ca/) Photo: Revolver's website 5. ![Timbertrain Coffee Roasters, from its own website](https://timbertraincoffeeroasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dummy-1.jpg)Number 5 ### Timbertrain Coffee Roasters Coffee roaster and cafe 311 W Cordova Street, Gastown, Vancouver Vancouver Magazine's September 2026 list called Timbertrain 'a unique aesthetic experience: the Gastown café is in a gorgeous heritage building with seats made from a train carriage.' The Georgia Straight listed it in January 2024 as one of Gastown's best, noting 'the sweet shop serves up mighty fine espressos, pour overs, and more.' - > “Both locations of Timbertrain are a unique aesthetic experience: the Gastown café is in a gorgeous heritage building with seats made from a train carriage; the east side depot is all industrial and offers tours and classes along with excellent brews.” [Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton](https://vanmag.com/drink/general/best-coffee-shops-vancouver/) · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - > “This Cordova Street cafe went full steam ahead with its train motif. With booths lined up against the wall in a train-car formation, the sweet shop serves up mighty fine espressos, pour overs, and more.” [Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra](https://www.straight.com/food/vancouvers-best-cafes-and-coffee-shops-gastownrailtown) · best-of list · January 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab) [Visit timbertraincoffeeroasters.com (opens in a new tab)](https://timbertraincoffeeroasters.com/) Photo: Timbertrain Coffee Roasters's website QUESTIONS ## Questions this guide answers
What are the top 5 coffee shops in Vancouver? The five coffee shops in this guide are Nemesis (302 W Hastings Street, Gastown), cowdog (1927 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano), Mishmish (3485 Fraser Street, Fraserhood), Revolver (325 Cambie Street, Gastown), and Timbertrain Coffee Roasters (311 W Cordova Street, Gastown). Each one was named by a local or national outlet in 2024 or later.
How were the coffee shops in this guide chosen? A place appears here only when a named outlet, such as a newspaper or magazine, wrote about it in 2024 or later and placed it in Vancouver by address or in words. Rating and review sites were not used.
Which outlets were read to build this guide? The guide drew from Vancouver Magazine, the Georgia Straight, and Daily Hive.
When was this guide checked? This guide was checked on November 6, 2026. Each outlet's page was read on that date.
What makes Nemesis stand out among Vancouver coffee shops? Vancouver Magazine named Nemesis its 2025 Readers' Choice Best Coffee Shop. Daily Hive reported in April 2026 that it ranked fourth among all coffee shops in North and Central America on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list.
What is cowdog known for in Kitsilano? The Georgia Straight covered the Kitsilano location's opening in April 2025 and described its 'quality drinks, thoughtfully developed food items, and a welcoming team.' Vancouver Magazine highlighted drinks such as a strawberry matcha and a matcha-hojicha affogato.
What kind of food does Mishmish serve alongside coffee? Vancouver Magazine described Mishmish as a Middle Eastern bakery and cafe where you can pair a sesame ka'ak bagel and a halva cornflake cookie with a halva latte. The Georgia Straight listed it in June 2024 as offering Middle Eastern classics such as labneh and Jerusalem bagels.
What coffee does Revolver serve? Vancouver Magazine described Revolver as serving 'both traditional and ultra-experimental coffee' from roasters across North America, Europe and Japan, including an espresso tonic.
Where is Timbertrain Coffee Roasters located in Vancouver? The main Gastown location is at 311 W Cordova Street. Vancouver Magazine described it as 'in a gorgeous heritage building with seats made from a train carriage.'
How do I report a mistake in this guide? Use the corrections form at voche.me/report and name the place and the line that is wrong.
SOURCES ## Every page this guide draws on 1. [Vancouver coffee shop named among top 5 cafes on prestigious list](https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/nemesis-best-coffee-shop-2026)Daily Hive, Marco Ovies · April 13, 2026 · dailyhive.com · read November 6, 2026 2. [Cowdog doubles down with a new Kits location](https://www.straight.com/food/cowdog-doubles-down-with-a-new-kits-location)Georgia Straight, Vicki Duong · April 15, 2025 · straight.com · read November 6, 2026 3. [New coffee shops to try in Vancouver right now](https://www.straight.com/food/new-coffee-shops-to-try-in-vancouver-right-now)Georgia Straight, Vicki Duong · June 17, 2024 · straight.com · read November 6, 2026 4. [Vancouver's best cafes and coffee shops: Gastown/Railtown](https://www.straight.com/food/vancouvers-best-cafes-and-coffee-shops-gastownrailtown)Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · January 5, 2024 · straight.com · read November 6, 2026 5. [The Best Coffee Shops in Vancouver Right Now](https://vanmag.com/drink/general/best-coffee-shops-vancouver/)Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton · September 21, 2026 · vanmag.com · read November 6, 2026 6. [Restaurant Awards 2026: Editors' Choice, Best Bakeries](https://vanmag.com/restaurant-awards/2026/restaurant-awards-2026-editors-choice-best-bakeries/)Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Magazine · May 4, 2026 · vanmag.com · read November 6, 2026 7. [Restaurant Awards 2025: Readers' Choice Winners](https://vanmag.com/restaurant-awards/2025/restaurant-awards-2025-readers-choice-winners/)Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Magazine · May 2025 · vanmag.com · read November 6, 2026 **Found an error?** Tell the editors with the [corrections form](https://voche.me/report). [Read our standards](https://voche.me/about). ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.